01/08/2023
09 January 2023
!FELICES FIESTA NUESTRO PADRE JESUS NAZARENO!
𝗔 𝗕𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗡𝗮𝘇𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲!
The Cofradia de Ntro. Pdre. Jesus Nazareno of San Roque, Cavite is said to be the oldest and still active organization of lay people in the Philippines. This Cofradia was organized on March 02, 1726 and recognized under the provisions of Law 25, Title IV, of the compilation of the laws of the Indies and of the Real Cedula of October 15, 1805. Its by-laws were approved by the Royal Order of February 25, 1895, upon a previous information by the Council of the Indies. From that time the said Cofradia has had a legal existence and has been performing its functions as a Catholic association duly organized with a right to possess and administer property.
It is composed of 12 Hermanos de Mesa who serve for life. A vacancy is traditionally filled from father to son or the nearest relative, or may be taken from the ranks of the Hermanos Suplentes, a post war creation that act as a shadow cabinet. Elevation to full Hermano is confirmed by the Hermanos de Mesa en banc during a cabildo meeting held once a year every second Sunday of Lent. Each year, one of the Hermanos de Mesa assumes the post of the Hermano Mayor with responsibility over matters concerning the observing the Feast of the Holy Name and observance of the Holy Week activities. The spiritual adviser of the Cofradia who oversees all of its activities is the parish priest of San Roque church, Cavite City.
(References: (1) Law 25, Title IV, Laws of the Indies, Real Cedula of October 15, 1805.(2) G.R. No. L-11955 The Government Of The Philippine Islands, plaintiff-appellee, vs. Martin Avila, Et Al., Opponents. The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila. Appellant dated July 19, 1918.)